Chapter Nine: Regulation of Plasma Osmolality

Channel Your Enthusiasm

References for Chapter 9

One of the few papers that Rose wrote as a single author explores electrolyte free water clearance. This seminal paper explores the issue in greater detail than the book. A New approach to disturbances in the plasma sodium concentration

Wondering about the volume of sweat? Josh taught us that the volume of “transepidermal volume loss” is not affected by humidity https://www.jidonline.org/article/S0022-202X(15)48145-X/pdf but is greatly affected by temperature: Skin temperature and transepidermal water loss

Regarding normal sweat physiology, there is a nice review (with figures!) titled Physiological mechanisms determining sweat composition which describes all the important cells and channels which make up sweat glands. And an important follow on paper titled Higher Bioelectric Potentials due to Decreased Chloride Absorption in the Sweat Glands of Patients with Cystic Fibrosis describing specifically the sweat characteristics of patients with cystic fibrosis.

Melanie was enchanted by work from RA McCance who did early experiments to induce sodium deficiency using very low sodium diets and a homemade sauna-like tent. His musings are fascinating. Lancet 1936 Experimental human salt deficiency MEDICAL PROBLEMS IN MINERAL METABOLISM

Age-related decline in urine concentration may not be universal: Comparative study from the US and two small-scale societies from Jeff Sands (of urea transport fame!)

In this initial report, after continually water loading 21 volunteers, the younger group (mean age 31) had a urine osmolality of 52 mOsm/kg compared to in the older group (mean age 84). Influence of age, renal disease, hypertension, diuretics, and calcium on the antidiuretic responses to suboptimal infusions of vasopressin. In a later report older subjects (mean age 72) vs younger controls (mean age 26) drank 20 ml/kg over 40 minutes. The younger group excreted more of the water in the first 2 hours and had a lower mean urine osmolality 86 vs 112 mOsm/kg compared to the older participants. Age-associated Alterations in Thirst and Arginine Vasopressin in Response to a Water or Sodium Load

Howard Furst suggests the urine to plasma electrolyte ratio as a simpler strategy to consider the free water clearance: https://nephrology.edublogs.org/files/2014/03/Water-Restriction-in-Hyponatremia1-1eb8n40.pdf or via pubmed: The urine/plasma electrolyte ratio: a predictive guide to water restriction

Rapidity of Correction of Hyponatremia Due to Syndrome of Inappropriate Secretion of Antidiuretic Hormone Following Tolvaptan

InfoSnack picture of pre and post tolvaptan